Inner speech (English: implicit speech, inner speech, covert speech) – is an internal dialogue or monologue that takes place within a person when they mentally address themselves. It is a form of self-reflection in which a person thinks, analyzes, and formulates their thoughts, feelings, and experiences without saying them aloud.
Main characteristics of inner speech:
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Internal dialogue: Inner speech may take the form of an internal dialogue, when a person communicates with themselves, asks themselves questions and answers them, analyzes problems, and makes decisions.
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Formulating thoughts: Inner speech allows a person to formulate their thoughts clearly and precisely. It helps structure information, analyze arguments, and express ideas.
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Self-regulation: Inner speech can be used for the self-regulation of behavior and emotions. A person may speak to themselves internally to calm down, motivate themselves, or make decisions.
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Problem-solving: Through inner speech, a person can consider different alternatives and analyze the consequences of their actions, which helps in decision-making.
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Reflection and self-understanding: Inner speech allows a person to become aware of their feelings, experiences, and level of self-understanding. It helps a person pay attention to their internal states and analyze them.
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